As Mercury rises, demand for power shoots up to 15,500 MW in Gujarat

With temperature rising over the past week, power demand in the state has also shot up. The demand is expected to rise further as the mercury level goes up in the next two months.

According to the State Load Despatch Centre (SLDC), peak power demand in the state touched 15,512 MW on Thursday, the highest in the season so far. Incidentally, many places in the state reported highest temperature of the summer season so far yesterday. Ahmedabad city reported 41 degree Celsius temperature, the hottest day of the season thus far.

Barring March 25, peak power demand in the state has been more than 15,000 MW every day since March 23.

Peak power demand is expected to cross 16,500 MW in the days ahead. While the state is in a comfortable position for meeting the power demand, the Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) is being forced to purchase costly power from the Indian Energy Exchange and gas-based power plants due to discontinuation of nearly 3,000 MW power supply by Adani Power and Essar.

Energy and regulatory expert KK Bajaj said that at the current level and price, there would be a daily burden of more than Rs12 crore on power consumers in the state.

"The power consumers are being forced to pay more for electricity because the private power producers are not me-eting their commitment. The state government and Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission should take strong steps against the erring power companies," Bajaj said.